? for Acrylic tank owners....

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stevelamby

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jul 24, 2007
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Madison, WI
I have just setup my first acrylic tank. I was wondering what you guys use to clean the outside? I know you aren't supp. to use glass cleaners such as windex, so I bought a plastic/acrylic cleaner but it seems to make more of a mess than it does help.

1.) What do you all use to clean the outside?

2.) What kind of towel/rag do you use?

3.) What do you use for the inside?

4.) Is it true that plecos can scratch the acrylic by sucking on it?

Any other tips/tricks would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Steve
 
i use turtlewax acrylic glass clearner

if its good enought for a porche convertable its good enought for my tank its better and cheaper than all them fancy tank glass cleaners

i get the clearner from halfods online but any good car shop should have it

i just spray it on tissue paper has to be the nose tissue as they are softer than the other type
 
I just use water and an old rag or newspaper! Sometimes Windex if im feeling kinky...
 
1) Novus acrylic cleaner/polish.

2) I get bundles of acrylic safe paper towels that are folded into mediums sized squares from the local automotive store. There is no brand name but a LFS in Omaha turned me on to them. I've heard you can use flannel also.

3) I have an F-4 Mighty Magnet that was worth every dollar. They are expensive but they blow Mag Floats away. I also have a scratch repair kit for it.

4) Yes.


so I bought a plastic/acrylic cleaner but it seems to make more of a mess than it does help.
Click to expand...

With acrylic cleaner you just don't spray it on and wipe off. You spray it on, clean the surface then get a fresh towel/rag and polish the surface.
 
Bud8Fan;1596168; said:
1) Novus acrylic cleaner/polish.

2) I get bundles of acrylic safe paper towels that are folded into mediums sized squares from the local automotive store. There is no brand name but a LFS in Omaha turned me on to them. I've heard you can use flannel also.

3) I have an F-4 Mighty Magnet that was worth every dollar. They are expensive but they blow Mag Floats away. I also have a scratch repair kit for it.

4) Yes.

/.
Click to expand...


On question #4 you answered that Plecos can scratch acrylic. All my tanks are acrylic and each one has a pleco ranging from 3 inches to 10 inches. I've never seen them scratch my tanks. I don't believe it's possible because this is the first time I heard of it. Maybe someone else can chime in. I only have common plecos so maybe their suckers can't scratch acrylic but maybe other types can. The Doctor.
 
I wanted an exotic pleco in a bad way and did a lot of searching. Everywhere I went somebody said yes they can damage acrylic and others said no. Even Exotic Finds a supplier of exotics emailed me saying none of them are 100% safe with acrylic. Some say if they are fed properly you don't have to worry but I'm not willing to take that risk.

Based on the research I have done the answer to question #4 is yes.

Here are some threads on the subject from MFK:

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=120151&highlight=scratch+acrylic

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23433&highlight=scratch+acrylic

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12687&highlight=pleco+acrylic
 
From what I have learned every pleco has the "ability" to damage acrylic over time. Not all do but they do have the ability.
 
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